In January 2019, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale announced that the Government of Canada was establishing an Interim Management Advisory Board for the RCMP to provide the Commissioner with outside expertise and advice on transformation, human resources, modern management practices, information technology and other specialized fields.
On June 5, 2019, Minister Goodale announced that the Government has appointed the following 13 members of the Interim Board.
The members of the Board are:
Mr. Richard Dicerni – Chairperson
Ms. Leanne J. Fitch – Vice-Chairperson
Mr. Randy Ambrosie – Member
Dr. Elaine Bernard – Member
Ms. Angela Campbell – Member
Mr. John C. Domm – Member
Dr. Ghayda Hassan – Member
Ms. Maureen Kempston Darkes – Member
Mr. Douglas E. Moen – Member
Mr. Wally Oppal – Member
Mr. Kevin Patterson – Member
Mr. Keith Peterson – Member
Dr. Emöke Szathmáry – Member
Click here to read the press release identifying the Board Members, which includes their professional biographies.
In acknowledging the appointments, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki noted that she was “confident that (the Interim Board) will help us achieve our goal: a more modern, effective, healthy and inclusive national police organization”.
The Commissioner specified that she “will continue to lead the operations and management of the RCMP and all matters connected to it. The Board will not be involved in any matters relating to law enforcement investigations or operations”.
Click here to read Commissioner Lucki’s full statement.
Police Service Boards at other levels of government (provincial / municipal) have been in place for many years within many jurisdictions in Canada. The establishment of this interim civilian advisory board marks a new era for the Force.
Maintaining a clear delineation between (i) the provision of administrative management advice (the role of the Board) and (ii) management of police operations (the role of the RCMP Commissioner) is the critical factor in the exercise of this new dynamic.
Respecting these distinct roles is imperative to developing public confidence in this soon to be evolving partnership, to assure that police operations are independent of political influence and conducted “without fear, favour or affection”.
We wish the Interim Management Advisory Board the very best as they begin to make their way, and we remain available to meet with them if the RCMP Veterans’ Association can be of assistance.
Steve Walker
President
